TJRSID.E. 215 



The Omnivorous Mammalia (Omnivorci) are differentiated from the 

 Carnivora hy haviiij^ the hind upper grinders (that is to say, the 

 hinder false grinder, the flesh-tooth, and the tubercular teeth) very 

 similar in form ; they are broad and strongly tubercular. The three 

 hinder teeth in the lower jaw are similar, but they are narrower 

 and more elongate. 



They form a very natural group, consisting only of a limited 

 number of species. The species require particular study, as they 

 are very similar externally, and the skull and teeth, which are very 

 similar in many of the specimens, appear to be liable to a consider- 

 able amount of variation in specimens from the same locality, and 

 with the same habits. 



The examination of the bones, and especially the skulls, of the 

 Ursidce shows still further than the study of the bones of the Viver- 

 ridce the necessity of great caution in depending on the study of 

 osteological specimens for the distinction of species. The fact that 

 M. de Blainville considers the Californian Grizzly Bear, after a veiy 

 careful study and comparison of its bones, to be only a variety of 

 the common European Bear, shows how a most experienced and 

 accurate osteologist may be misled by placing too much confidence 

 in a single branch of study. If such a naturalist may be so misled 

 by the study of the bones of recent animals, how much more caution 

 is required in giving any opinion or forming any theory on the 

 study of fossil specimens of bones, where the determination of the 

 osteologist cannot be verified by the examination of other parts of 

 the animal in its perfect state ! 



The species of Omnivora are distributed over Europe, Asia, Africa, 

 and America, and they are generally inhabitants of the mountainous 

 .regions of these countries. One species is marine, and common to 

 the Arctic parts of Europe, Asia, and America. 



Section I. BROAD-FOOTED BEARS {BRACHYPODA). 



The feet broad and short, generaUj^ bald and callous below ; toea 

 straight ; the claws exserted, more or less curved, blunt. 

 Brachypoda, Gray, Pruc. Zool. Soe. 18G4, pp. 506, 079. 



Fam. 1. URSID^. 



Tail short or none ; body massive, limbs short. 

 Ui-sina, Grmj, Cat. Mamm. B. M. p. 72 ; P. Z. S. 1864, p. 679. 



They sometimes climb trees, but usually descend backwards. When 

 running, they carry their young on their back. 



The young born naked and blind, of a very small size ; their eyes 

 open and they become covered with short thick black, fur when 

 about five weeks old (Bartlett, P. Z. S. 1860, p. 130). 



